Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living and one of the wonders of the world. In eighty-one brief chapters, the Tao Te Ching llods at the basic predicatment of being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit. This book is about wisdom in action. It teaches how wo work for the good with the efforless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao (the basic principle of the universe) and applies equally to good government and sexual love, to childrearing, business, and ecology.
The Tao Te Ching is the most widely traslated book in world literature, after the Bible. Yet the gemlike lucidity of the original has eluded most previous translations, and they have obscured some of its central ideas. Now the Tao Te ching has been rendered into English by the eminent scholar and traslator Stephen Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell's Dropping Ashes on the Buddha is a modern Zen classic, and his translations of Rilke and of the Book of Job have already been called definitive for our time.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - a fabrication
In his preface and notes which form a part of this book, Mitchell (1)makes clear his belief that Lao-tzu is a historic person , and not just a mythical figure; (2) asserts that the Tao Te Ching (TTC)is ... Read More
Rating: - Stephen Mitchell makes the translation of the Tao simple, crisp, and clear
I have tried to read other English translations of the timeless, beautiful, and wise book by Lao-Tzu, but they were hard to read and the concepts were hard to grasp; I think it was because the way the Tao ... Read More
Rating: - The Added Tracks Distract from Mitchells Work
I like Stephen Mitchells voice on his recording of his translation. I first heard him on a tape from the local library. So I was very happy to get the CDs. But be warned, there was a new track one on disc ... Read More
Rating: - Timeless
This book is a timeless guide for life. It is an important work that has helped to improve everyday living for countless individuals. Quite simply, it's a must read for anyone with an open mind and a willingness ... Read More
Rating: - BEWARE OF CLUELESS REVIEWERS!
The naysaying reviewers did not bother to read this book through. Nowhere does it claim to be a literal translation, and following the lessons are the author's notes, explaining exactly what he did or didn't add, ... Read More
- a fabrication
- Stephen Mitchell makes the translation of the Tao simple, crisp, and clear